A modern urban beat ’em up RPG

Shawn Alexander Allen (formerly of Rockstar Games) is the creator ofTreachery in Beatdown City—a game that draws from Shawn’s real life experiences as a child of New York City, his love of classic Beat ’em ups, and of biting parody. Whiletalking to Shawn about his game on Sup Holmes a few months ago, I couldn’t help but think ofEarthbound. Both games are turn based RPGs about exploring a big, funny, threatening version of America.

The difference is,Earthboundwas a look at American culture through the eyes of a Japanese native,localized by a group of Japanese and American developers.Treachery in Beatdown Cityis American society, politics, race issues, and class issues through Shawn Alexander Allen’s eyes — a man that has experienced American life on multiple levels, for better or worse, richer or poorer. It’s also packed with plenty of love for good old fashioned fisticuffs.

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Thegame is up on Kickstarter now, and as of last year, was planned for release on PC, Mac, and PS Mobile. Lets hope this one makes it.

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